Kalniskes, a forest in southern Lithuania. A small but determined group of local partisans led by Jonas Neifalta, known as Lakunas (Pilot), faced a large detachment of Soviet NKVD troops in open battle. Neifalta was known for his opposition to both the Nazis and the Soviets. The partisans harassed the Soviets, killing more than 400 with small arms and grenades. With the last grenade detonated behind enemy lines, the partisans managed to escape, leaving behind 44 comrades, more than half their total, including Neifalta’s wife, who died while holding a machine gun. Neifalta survived to fight in another battle in November of the same year, where he was killed.
